Residents of Rubavu District, on Thursday, joined police in an exercise to destroy drugs and plastic bags which were seized in the area in the last two months.The destroyed drugs include about 550 litres of illicit liquor like kanyanga and 430 kilogrammes of cannabis.Ezekiel Nsengiyumva, the district Vice Mayor in charge of Finance called upon residents to refrain from drug dealings.He observed that drug abuse has been identified as one of the causes of other crimes especially domestic violence, assault and theft."Drug abuse also affects one’s thinking and productivity thus derailing their individual development,” he said.The Western Region Police Commander, ACP Gilbert R. Gumira, hailed the role played by residents in availing information that led to seizure of the destroyed drugs and plastic bags."They provided us with credible information which led us to areas where these drugs were being stored and sold, and we managed to arrest the suspects,” ACP Gumira said.He said narcotics like cannabis are sneaked into the country through porous borders.Police Spokesperson ACP Damas Gatare asked parents to take an upper hand to protect their children from engaging in drug related crimes.He also asked students to focus on their studies, if they are to have a better future.Article 598 of the Penal Code stipulates that, any person who manufactures, sells, prescribes a drug, harmful products, cosmetics or body hygiene and other herbal substances prohibited in healing practice, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of six months to two years and a fine of Rwf1 million to Rwf 5 million or one of these penalties.